June 24, 2013. The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate decreased to 8.8 percent from April’s revised rate of 8.9 percent. The national rate increased to 7.6 percent from April’s 7.5 percent.

North Carolina’s May 2013 unemployment rate was 0.7 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,018 over the month to 4,303,514, and increased 37,331 over the year. The number of people unemployed fell 2,451 over the month to 416,565, and declined 29,767 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 5,900 to 4,041,900 in May. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was Leisure & Hospitality Services at 6,300, followed by Other Services, 1,400. Major industries to experience decreases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,800; Construction, 2,600; Professional & Business Services, 2,000; Financial Activities, 1,700; Government, 1,600; Information, 1,100; Education & Health Services, 600; and Manufacturing, 200. Mining & logging employment remained flat over the month.

Since May 2012, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 56,300 with the Total Private sector growing by 54,800, and Government, 1,500. The largest over-the-year increase of major industries was in Leisure & Hospitality Services, 25,200, followed by Professional & Business Services, 11,200; Education & Health Services, 8,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 8,400; Financial Activities, 2,500; Information, 2,300; Government, 1,500; Other Services, 1,400; and Manufacturing, 1,300. Major industries to experience decreases over the year were Construction, 6,000; and Mining & Logging, 100.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, 2013 when the county unemployment rates for May 2013 will be released.